Great Wall Motors: New Cars 2012

Easily the most successful Chinese manufacturer in Australia thanks to its cheap and well-equipped SUVs and utes, Great Wall is looking to expand its range with its first passenger car late in 2012. The brand is on track to sell 9000 vehicles locally in 2011 and is currently the 16th highest-seller in the country. Importantly, the new X200 diesel SUV becomes the first Chinese car in Australia to come with electronic stability control as standard, signalling an important step forward for the manufacturer.

GREAT WALL V200

Vehicle type: Light commercial. Timing: Q1

The diesel-powered 4×4 single-cab variant expands Great Wall’s V-Series range to seven variants. Priced from $22,990 driveaway, the V200 teams a 105kW/310Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission. It has a maximum braked towing capacity of 1700kg and an official fuel consumption rating of 8.3 litres per 100km. Standard features include a CD player, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, fog lamps and two front airbags.

GREAT WALL X200

Vehicle type: Compact SUV. Timing: Q1

Small numbers of the diesel-powered X200 were available late in 2011, but the X240 alternative will launch in earnest early in the New Year. Combining the same 105kW/310Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission drivetrain as the V200 ute, the compact Chinese SUV achieves an official fuel consumption rating of 7.6L/100km, making it 26 per cent more efficient than the petrol version. The X200 is equipped similarly to X240, coming standard with alloy wheels, leather upholstery, DVD player and climate control. Significantly, it becomes the first Chinese vehicle in Australia to come with electronic stability control as standard. The Great Wall X200 costs $25,990 driveaway.

GREAT WALL X200

Vehicle type: Compact SUV. Timing: Q2

Joining the line-up a few months after the manual X200 is the five-speed automatic variant, which will become the brand’s first auto in Australia. Great Wall is yet to put a price on this model, although the transmission is likely to come with a $2000 premium, which would make it $27,990 driveaway. The auto variant will be equipped identically to the manual.

GREAT WALL SMALL CAR (POTENTIALLY VOLEEX C10)

Vehicle type: Light/small car. Timing: Q4

A number of setbacks have pushed the launch of Great Wall’s first passenger car back to the end of 2012 (at the earliest). The Chinese brand’s Australian distributor says it is yet to finalise exactly what model it will introduce, but CarAdvice understands it is likely to be a five-door light-sized hatch known as the Voleex C10 in China. The car will be sold in Australia with a five-speed manual and the option of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and electronic stability control will be standard. In its domestic market it is available with two petrol engines: a 68kW/118Nm 1.3-litre unit and a 77kW/138Nm 1.5-litre. Expect a starting price between $12,000 and $15,000.